Reykjavik upholds withdrawal of church and Muslim group land allocations

Reykjavik City Council will not reverse its decision to withdraw land allocations to the Orthodox Church and the Muslim Association of Iceland, the council’s chairman told mbl.is. The city said the allocations had been granted years ago but no construction had begun.

The council approved the withdrawals last week. The Orthodox Church’s allocation, granted in 2008, was for a plot at Mýrargata 21-23 where it planned to build a church.

The church said in a statement on Saturday that it regretted the decision and was surprised by it. It said the necessary drawings and funding were in place, with only a building permit outstanding, and that it hoped to continue discussions with the authorities.

Chairman Einar Þorsteinsson said the church had been given extra time to present its case after it said it had not seen a city letter sent on August 18 outlining the planned withdrawal. The city had asked for a construction timetable, explanations for delays and confirmation of funding.

But the information submitted did not justify changing the decision, according to the city’s planning and environment department. “The same rules apply to everyone,” Þorsteinsson said, adding that the city was also withdrawing other land allocations. Last week, it revoked allocations for two plots in Úlfarsárdalur.

Þorsteinsson said there was strong demand for land and that it was important for allocated plots to be developed.